What To Do If You Were Accused Of Child Molestation In Delaware

You may have been accused of poor judgment, mistakes, or even an actual crime in the past, but few situations are more serious than facing allegations of child molestation in Delaware. The offense is titled “Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Person in a Position of Trust, Authority, or Supervision,” and there are different degrees depending on the circumstances. However, all crimes in this category include felony charges and could lead to years behind bars. Plus, a person convicted of child molestation will need to register as a sex offender and carry around collateral consequences well after serving a sentence.

Considering the severity of the allegations, you must make it a priority to retain experienced legal counsel as early on in the process as possible. Your Wilmington child molestation defense attorney will provide specific advice on how to handle the charges, but keep in mind some Dos and Don’ts. 

DO Comply with Police Requests Upon Arrest 

The last thing you need when being charged with child molestation is to rack up additional criminal counts, so be polite and respectful during encounters with police. Avoid resisting arrest and do not engage in any physical movements that could be construed as a threat. You should not make any statements for the reasons set forth below, but keep in mind that verbal comments can also lead to criminal charges. 

DO NOT Make Any Statements 

If officers are charging you with child molestation, they already have evidence of probable cause. Exercise your right to remain silent by declining to answer questions, and do not offer any statements of information. Even if you are only speaking to express your innocence, your words could be used against you in court in ways you never expected. 

DO Gather Evidence 

You can support the efforts of your attorney by doing your best to collect and preserve critical proof. Make sure to review and gather:

• Physical evidence of your relationship with the alleged victim, such as photos, videos, clothing, and personal items;
• Documents and related records that track phone conversations, texts, emails, and online activities; and,
• A list of witnesses who have information about the allegations, your relationship with the child, or other details. 

As you are gathering this evidence, refrain from deleting or destroying physical items – even when the information is contrary to your interests. 

DO NOT Take to Social Media 

These platforms are useful for keeping in touch with family and friends, but avoid posting ANY content related to child molestation charges. You might consider changing your privacy settings or suspending your account until the case is resolved.

Rely on a New Castle County Child Molestation Defense Lawyer for Help 

By following these Do’s and Don’ts after being arrested for Sexual Abuse of a Child, you put your attorney in a better position to defend the charges. For more information on strategies, please contact Attorney Michael W. Modica by calling 302.600.1262 or visiting our website. We can schedule a consultation at our Wilmington, DE office to review your circumstances and discuss next steps.

Source:

delcode.delaware.gov/title11/c005/sc02/index.html#778